Naruto Shippuuden: The return of Orochimaru, stuff happens

There is perhaps no anime I want to love more than Naruto. I’ve been following this story since 2003 and even if it drags on for another decade, I’ll still be camped out all night waiting for its end. I know full well it’s far from perfect, but by now I’m too caught up in these characters to actually care whether or not Naruto is objectively good or bad, that it simply is Naruto is good enough for me. I suppose this is a lot like being a Star Wars fan, you have to be willing to completely invest yourself in the story, kick reason to the curb and accept what you’re seeing. If all you can do is complain about the fucking ewoks, you’re completely missing the point.
The last few episodes of Shippuuden have been good. I’m not sure if it’s simply because the Gaara retrieval arc was a little too long, or if I just wasn’t as engrossed in it as I thought, but only now is it feeling like Naruto is recapturing that exciting and compulsive feeling. All this is connected with the return of Orochimaru and Kabuto and a sense that we’re getting closer to that inevitably awesome first encounter with bad Sasuke.

To be honest, I still don’t completely understand the motivations behind trying to "save" Sasuke. Naruto obviously believes that if only he were stronger when they originally clashed, he could have stopped Sasuke from leaving by force and everything would have been fine, but this is ignoring that Sasuke clearly wanted to leave everyone behind, ally with Orochimaru and chase down Itachi. Fundamentally, we’re yet to see if he is capable of committing evil and, knowing how Naruto will never give up on a friend, it remains to be seen whether or not his heart can be sufficiently moved to change perspective.
All that said, you can’t help but honestly and utterly cheer for Naruto; the depth of his feeling is unquestionable and his complete willingness to sacrifice everything is aptly symbolised during his murky internal dialogues — drowning in helplessness, Naruto, knowing full well he is shortening his life span, does the only thing he can do to try and save his friend; combine with the demon fox and embrace his cursed power. It was disturbing to see that his final transformation literally burns off his skin. Naruto, with his blood red eyes, is fast becoming a monster.

I loved how he so nonchalantly tossed aside an attack from the ever condescending Kabuto, but of course, I can’t wait to see how far he will push Orochimaru too (that is, before Yamato is inevitably forced to seal Naruto’s escalating power). Here’s hoping for another beautifully animated and big budget smack down.

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14 Comments

for me if the pace is better it will be perfect
i really love its story i see it as one of the best and interaction between its characters is great
i missed your naruto enteries
i hope the next episode will be kickass so you can write about it (it will be animated by the people who did 35)

For me, I have been following it since it started, via media sources. Eventually the production was too slow, that I switched to watching fansubs.
Naruto may be draggy, may be pissing many fans off, but one thing for sure is that loyal fans will remain with it forever!

I’ve been enjoying this arc much more than the Gaara Retrival one also, I think its the impending thought that Sasuke will be coming back and that is so awesome.
I wonder how far Naruto shall go with he’s four tails and all, Yamato seriously needs to get his ass in gear and stop him.
LASTLY – Naruto Hitting Orochimaru = Win!

I’m kind of annoyed that I failed to mention Naruto hitting Orochimaru. I loved that part too, especially his immediate shocked “noise” and the massive aftershock. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this whole battle will play out; I can’t imagine that Orochimaru will have much of an answer to Naruto’s unrelenting attacks. It has to be building up to another full episode of all-out war, so I’m expecting the next installment to really deliver some amazing action animation, much like the visual orgasm that is episode 26.
And I’m so tempted to read the manga… Must. resit. temptation.

To be honest I started to dislike Naruto around the time Sasuke started to leave all the way through this arc, but once this story finished I thought it really picked up. If you’re enjoying this now, I can’t wait to see what you think later on (assuming the anime does it justice).

I actually cringed when Naruto’s skins began to peel and burn. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain, but I realized that Naruto himself would probably not be aware of whats happening and the torture of being skinned alive. It didn’t look that bad in the manga, which goes to show how certain things can only be felt through animation.
Personally, I find the pacing to be way to slow. I’d be very happy if they speed up a little. They already have so much material to work with from the manga so I really don’t know why they’re still dragging some scenes out.
Maybe I’m just impatient.

Actually, you’d probably be surprised by the level of violence in Naruto if you’re just going by reputation. It has some rather kiddy moments too, but check out this clip to see what I mean. That’s still one of my favorite moments from Naruto, ever.

It wasn’t the graphic bloodshed so much as the painfulness of the concept (reminds me of that chap in Night Watch (not an especially good film) who pulls his own spine out and uses it as a sword).
But I take your point – that clip is more violent than I would expect (and also quite good).

Second for second the most excited I ever get when watching anime is probably still when Naruto interacts with the Demon Fox. I didn’t start the series until 2005, but I believe I was truly hooked right after the fight between Naruto, Sasuke, and that ice ninja with the mirror ability.
I continue watching the show exactly for moments like this… where the line between man and beastial rage literally blurs on the screen and you get to watch someone become “more” than their physical body in order to protect that which they love.
Since watching Naruto I’ve started to like all kinds of anime, but I’ll keep watching Naruto as long as they keep making it, even if the fillers and most of Shippudden so far have absolutely sucked =P